Seven Churches Congregations to whom John is instructed to write in Revelation 2–3; located in seven cities of western Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

At the start of John’s vision in Revelation, he is told to write letters to these churches—or, more precisely, to their angels (see below: “Angels of the Churches”). The content of the letters is dictated by a metaphysical figure described as “one like a son of man” who died but now lives forever—the exalted Christ (Rev 1:13–18; compare Dan 7:13–14; Rev 1:1). Together, the seven letters form an introduction to the apocalyptic prophecy that follows in Rev 4–22. The letters encourage the churches to become or remain strong so that they can persevere through the coming tribulation. Each letter concludes with a description of various eschatological blessings that will be given to “the one who conquers” (e.g., Rev 2:7.

In Revelation, there are seven spirits, angels, churches, seals, trumpets, bowls, beatitudes, and doxologies. Because the number seven is a sign of perfection, the seven letters could represent Jesus’ perfect revelation to His people (Bauckham, Theology, 26–27).